A Detoxing Pomegranate Cocktail (Minus the Booze)

Welcome to Thirsty Thursday! Each week we toast the coming weekend with a new adult beverage for you to enjoy. Tweet @SELFmagazine and our associate editor of food + nutrition @MarjorieKorn and tell us what you're imbibing. Cheers!

It’s December, meaning you’re surrounded by mountains of sugar cookies by day, while nights are spent bopping among holiday parties. All that requisite indulging can leave you feeling not-so-hot. One of the best ways to balance things out is not to eat less, but more — but really healthy stuff. One such item is the pomegranate. Half a cup of the seeds (called arils) is only 72 calories and provides a hefty dose of fiber, and vitamins C and K. Then there’s the antioxidants – polyphenols to be exact, which help reduce inflammation and may have anti-aging effects. Santa Barbara-based barkeep Patrick Reynolds and pomegranate purveyors POM Wonderful gave us an aril-filled cocktail that you can sip by day and spike by night.

The POM Smash

1 tbsp pomegranate arils*

1/2 oz lime juice

1 oz POM Hula (a blend of pomegranate, pineapple and apple juices)

1 1/2 oz dry gin

Lime slice

Mint sprig

In a shaker, muddle arils and lime juice. Add pomegranate juice, gin and ice. Pour into Collins (tall) glass and garnish with lime and mint. 127 calories per serving.

*Shucking a pomegranate can be a messy affair. Pro-tip: cut pomegranate in half and submerge in a bowl of water while releasing seeds. You can also buy containers of seeds.